Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Tuttle
  • Ball and socket joint with sealing bellows
    Patent number: 7244074
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint (1) is provided, for example, for a chassis bearing, with a ball (2), a pivot (3) originating from the ball (2), a housing (4) accommodating the ball, and a sealing bellows (5), which extends between the housing (4) and the pivot (3) and has a housing-side opening (6) and a pivot-side opening (7). The sealing bellows (5) has a circumferential sealing lip (8) for sealing at the pivot-side opening (7). The ball and socket joint (1) has a first guide ring (9), which guides the sealing bellows (5). The first guide ring (9) is arranged at the pivot (3). An especially favorable functional separation is achieved as a result between the guiding function and the sealing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Olaf Abels, Jürgen Gräber, Jochen Kruse, Volker Grube, Dirk Lamla, Manfred Bohne, Melanie Enkler, Metin Ersoy, Achim Möll, Thomas Rösler, Wolfgang Schmitt
  • Heat management for control unit
    Patent number: 7240660
    Abstract: A method of reducing heat generated in a fuel injector driver controlled by an engine control unit (ECU) of a vehicle engine, the injector coupled to the engine, the method comprising of varying a number of fuel injector injections in an engine cycle as a temperature of the ECU varies, where during a first ECU temperature condition said injector performs a first number of injections in an engine cycle, said first number being at least two injections, and during a second temperature condition higher than said first temperature condition said injector performs a second number of injections less than said first number of injection in an engine cycle, said second number being at least one injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Bryant, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt, Suresh Sureshbabu
  • Hybrid electric vehicle with variable displacement engine
    Patent number: 7240749
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle 10 having a propulsion system 12 which integrates a motor-generator 14 and a variable displacement internal combustion engine 16. Motor-generator 14 and engine 16 are each operatively coupled to drive train 17 of vehicle 10, and cooperatively power vehicle 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chinu P. Bhavsar, Joanne T. Woestman, Prabhakar B. Patil
  • Process for making a product of artificial rock
    Patent number: 7241410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a product of artificial rock and a product thus made for use, in particular, in aquariums, tanks, swimming pools and the like; the process comprises the following operating steps: carrying out a first deposition of a mixture of powdered aggregates, resin, additives, within a cast or mould; catalyzing the mixture of said first deposition; covering the surface thus obtained with isophtalic or bisphenolic polyester resin; carrying out a second deposition of powdered aggregates, resin, additives; covering the surface derived from the second deposition with a layer of structural component and with resin; polymerizing the intermediate product thus obtained covering the surface thus obtained with a layer of gel; polymerizing the product thus obtained; removing the product from the mould; subjecting the product to a heating treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Opera Laboratori Fiorentini S.p.A.
    Inventor: Laura Stiattesi
  • Transition strategy for engine operation with spark ignition and homogeneous charge compression ignition modes
    Patent number: 7240659
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber with a piston and a spark plug, when transitioning between spark ignition combustion and autoignition combustion, creating a first mixture of air and fuel, adjusting an operating condition of the engine so that said first mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber approaches, but does not achieve, the autoignition temperature, and performing a spark from the spark plug so that at least a portion of said first mixture combusts to raise a remaining portion of said first mixture to said autoignition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jialin Yang
  • Variable cam timing damper
    Patent number: 7240651
    Abstract: A variable cam-timing phaser, including a stator having a plurality of inwardly-extending stator lobes and a rotor having a plurality of outwardly-extending rotor lobes. The rotor is rotatably disposed within the stator so that the rotor lobes interleave with the stator lobes to form a first timing chamber and a second timing chamber between each of the stator lobes. The phaser further includes a hydraulic valve, where the phaser is configured so that, upon operation of the valve to selectively couple the second timing chambers to a hydraulic fluid supply and the first timing chambers to a hydraulic fluid sink, the rotor is caused to rotate toward a terminal position, in which at least one of the first timing chambers is at least partially sealed off from the hydraulic fluid sink, thereby producing a tendency toward pressure equalization between the first timing chambers and the second timing chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jamie Hanshaw
  • Internal combustion engine shut-down for engine having adjustable valves
    Patent number: 7240663
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine in a vehicle, the engine having at least a cylinder, is described. The method comprises decreasing rotational speed of the engine; and when said engine speed falls in a specified region, adjusting a valve timing of the cylinder to generate one of expansion or compression braking torque to stop rotation of said engine in a desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Dennis Reed, Nate Trask
  • Joint sealing bellows with sealing ring and assembly/installation method
    Patent number: 7237978
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint bellows seal is provided with a ball pivot pin with a connection piece, a bellows with an annular engagement surface with a sliding ring groove and a bellows seal element. The bellows seal element has a connection piece sealing face statically engaged with said connection piece, a radially extending sealing portion and a sliding ring portion connected to said radially extending sealing portion and extending into the sliding ring groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Markus Fischer, Eric Holmes, Daniel Dearing
  • Chemically and electrically stabilized polymer films
    Patent number: 7238626
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing a poly(paraxylylene) dielectric thin film after forming the dielectric thin film via transport polymerization is disclosed, wherein the method includes annealing the dielectric thin film under at least one of a reductive atmosphere and a vacuum at a temperature above a reversible solid phase transition temperature of the dielectric film to convert the film from a lower temperature phase to a higher temperature phase, and cooling the dielectric thin film at a sufficient rate to a temperature below the solid phase transition temperature of the dielectric thin film to trap substantial portions of the film in the higher temperature phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Dielectric Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung J. Lee, Atul Kumar
  • Throttle valve control device for leisure vehicle
    Patent number: 7237528
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder engine for driving a vehicle is provided. The multi-cylinder engine includes a plurality of cylinders. The engine also includes a multi-throttle valve device having a plurality of air-intake passages, each of which being configured to lead air to the respective cylinder, and a plurality of throttle valves, each of which being configured to open and close the respective air-intake passage. At least one of the throttle valves is configured to be opened and closed independently of at least one of the other throttle valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Method to improve fuel economy in lean burn engines with variable-displacement-like characteristics
    Patent number: 7234436
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, John Ottavio Michelini, John M. Roth
  • Wiping and/or sealing element as well as process for sealing a piston and clamping and/or support element
    Patent number: 7234704
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a wiping and/or sealing element for sealing a piston (11) guided movably in a housing (10) with a seal held in a groove (21, 30). The present invention pertains, furthermore, to a process for sealing a movable piston (11) by means of a seal inserted into a groove (21, 30) and a clamping and/or support element with a piston (21), which is guided in a housing (10) such that it can be withdrawn and extended, wherein the piston (11) is sealed by means of a seal arranged in a groove (21). To achieve sealing of the piston (11) with a high sealing force for high liquid pressures at low friction, the wiping and/or sealing element according to the present invention as well as the clamping and/or support element according to the present invention are wherein the seal is a quad ring (22) with a square cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ludwig Ehrhardt GmbH
    Inventors: Adolf Lehr, Matthias Ehrhardt
  • Fuel injection strategy for reduced cold start emission from direct injection gasoline engines
    Patent number: 7234440
    Abstract: A system, comprising of an engine having a cylinder therein, a fuel injector coupled to said cylinder and configured to directly inject fuel into said cylinder, a fuel system coupled to said injector, and a controller configured to control engine starting operation, wherein during a start, said fuel injector performs a first fuel injection at least partially during an exhaust stroke of said cylinder, where fuel from said first fuel injection is mixed with air inducted at least during an intake stroke following said exhaust stroke, said fuel injector performing a second fuel injection after said first fuel injection, and combusting fuel from said first and second fuel injections to perform a combustion event in said cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Hilditch
  • System and method for engine operation with spark assisted compression ignition
    Patent number: 7234438
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber with a piston is disclosed. The method comprising during a first mode, adjusting an operating condition of the engine so that a first mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber attains an autoignition temperature and therefore combusts without performing a spark from the spark plug; and during a second mode, adjusting said operating condition of the engine so that a second mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber approaches, but does not achieve, said autoignition temperature; and performing a spark from the spark plug after top dead center of piston position so that said second mixture combusts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jialin Yang
  • Electrically actuated valve deactivation in response to vehicle electrical system conditions
    Patent number: 7234435
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least an electrically actuated valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising deactivating an electrically actuated valve in response to an operating condition of a vehicle electrical system, said electrically actuated valve deactivated in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John O. Michelini
  • Tile saw
    Patent number: D545849
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Imer International S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vasco Lucattini
  • Table lamp
    Patent number: D545989
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Flos S.p.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Starck
  • Seat
    Patent number: D546089
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ivars S.p.A.
    Inventor: Aldo Ebenestelli
  • Watch
    Patent number: D546718
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Chopard International SA
    Inventor: Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele
  • Tailgate assembly
    Patent number: RE39729
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly having an inner panel and an outer panel which is selectively coupled to the inner panel. The tailgate assembly further includes at least one stiffening member which is selectively and operatively contained between the panels and which increases the strength and durability of the tailgate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Miskech, Joseph Paul Tekelly, David Gary Dahlstrom, Keith Alan Kuzmich